Planting the Seeds for Education

By Anne E. Mead

It’s snowing outside today and carefully tucked in my mailbox were the summer seed catalogs. Is it time to think about summer yet? Yes, it is! Careful planning now will benefit everyone. Danbury is hosting multiple summer activities that keep children learning and growing, and family programs that expand parenting knowledge. Oh yes, one last thing to do: kindergarten registration.

Whether you need just a few weeks of programming or the entire summer, SunSational Summer, sponsored by the ELP program, is held at Shelter Rock School. Run daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 26 to August 4, it hosts planned learning activities, field trips, theater, arts and crafts and physical exercise following the 5210 curriculum for grades K-6. Through its project-based inquiry approach, students work in teams on projects during the week. The cost is 210.00 per week, and includes breakfast and lunch.

The “On With Learning” (OWL) tutoring program offers tutoring by certified teachers for students who need additional educational support. The OWL Program, purchased separately, runs Monday-Thursday. The cost is $50.00 per week. For more information on both programs, call 203-797-4733 or go to www.danbury.k12.ct.us under News and Events, and look for SunSational and OWL. Registration for the two programs is due by June 2.

“Finding Our Way” is a water stewardship program run by Danbury Public Schools and WCSU for students entering 7th grade. The two-week program runs July 10 and 17. Under the leadership of DPS science teachers, students and their families are engaged in different topics around water and the environment, such as water testing along the Greenway, sea turtle adoption and tracking, GPS and orienteering, weather and TV production. The program continues one Saturday per month with its Science Saturdays during the school year. This program is free due to funding from NOAA and WET-B. For more information, call 203-797-4734.

Save the date for FAMILY CAMP on Saturday, April 1 at RPMS in Danbury. Leaders from diverse backgrounds lead discussions on various topics pertinent to parent concerns. To level the playing field, titles go out the window, and all voices are of equal value. Leaders begin the conversation and offer some initial resources, while attendees add depth and much needed perspective to improve outcomes for Danbury’s children. Activities will be available for the children while adults attend the CAMP. Brochures will be sent out to families in early March.

Kindergarten registration begins on Tuesday, January 17 for the 2017-2018 school year. All children born in 2012 are eligible to register. All Danbury Public School registration takes place at the FACE Center at 49 Osborne St. For information, call 203-797-4753 or visit www.danbury.k12.ct.us.

Please watch for other programs to be announced, such as Kindergarten Summer Skills for incoming kindergarten students, spring vacation activities and Family Reading Days. Announcements will be posted at www.danbury.k12.ct.us. Danbury is full of other programs. For more information, call the Danbury Family Learning Center at 203-797-4734.

Anne E. Mead, M. Ed., is the administrator for the Early Childhood Education and Extended Learning Programs of the Danbury Public Schools. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact her at 203-830-6508 or meadan@danbury.k12.ct.us.